SPIRA9 invites contemporary visual artists worldwide to apply for our ongoing Artist of the Month programme—an international digital platform spotlighting compelling artistic voices. Each selected artist receives a curator-led feature, an online solo exhibition, a professional written critique, and global promotion through our website, annual art book, newsletter, and social media, offering meaningful visibility within an international art community.

We are pleased to announce an open call for the Artist of the Month – June Issue 2026, part of our ongoing international programme dedicated to highlighting compelling contemporary voices in visual art.

The Artist of the Month initiative offers selected artists a curated digital platform to present their practice, artistic vision, and creative process to a global audience.

Each month, one artist is selected for an in-depth feature and online presentation, joining a growing network of artists, curators, and art audiences worldwide.

What Selected Artists Receive

Artist of the Month Feature on the SPIRA9 ART Website

Each selected artist is presented with a dedicated feature page on the SPIRA9 ART website. The feature includes a curated review of the artist’s work, an artist statement, bio/CV, and links to their website or social media.

All features are permanently archived and receive prominent homepage placement during the month of release.

The SPIRA9 ART website receives an average of 1,500–2,000 unique visitors per month.

Curated Online Solo Exhibition

Selected artists will be presented with a curated online solo exhibition hosted on the SPIRA9 ART website.

Designed as an immersive digital showcase, the exhibition includes 6–10 artworks, a written curatorial introduction, and may incorporate video or audio materials if provided.

Each online exhibition is promoted as a stand-alone event across SPIRA9 ART’s platforms and typically receives 800–1,200 views within the first month.

Publication in the SPIRA9 Annual Art Book

At the end of each year, twelve Artist of the Month recipients—one from each month—are selected for inclusion in the SPIRA9 Annual Art Book.

The publication is produced in both printed and digital formats. Printed copies are distributed to selected art spaces, partner organisations, and participants, while the digital edition is shared with our mailing list and promoted via social media, receiving an average of 3,000+ unique opens/downloads annually.

Digital Promotion and Visibility

Each featured artist receives dedicated promotion through the SPIRA9 ART monthly newsletter and across our Instagram platform (over 2500 followers), including posts and stories.

Featured works are often revisited in seasonal highlights and additional promotional content beyond the feature month, extending long-term visibility.

Submission Requirements

Applicants are asked to submit:

• 3–5 high-quality images of artworks (maximum 4MB per image; high-resolution files will be requested if selected)
• Artwork description (up to 300 words, outlining concept, process, or themes)
• CV or résumé, or a link to an online portfolio or personal website
• Contact details, including name, email address.

Curatorial Approach

Artist of the Month is conceived as a curatorial and editorial platform dedicated to fostering thoughtful engagement with contemporary artistic practices.

Rather than focusing solely on individual artworks, the programme seeks to understand the broader context of an artist’s practice, including their research interests, conceptual concerns, material approaches, and evolving creative trajectory.

Through written critique, curatorial interpretation, and digital presentation, the programme aims to create meaningful dialogue between artists and audiences.

Each feature is developed with attention to the unique character of the selected artist’s work, offering a platform that foregrounds critical reflection, artistic development, and long-term visibility within an international contemporary art context.

Selection Process

All submissions are reviewed by the SPIRA9 ART curatorial team alongside invited contributors from our editorial and research network.

Applications are assessed on the strength of the overall artistic practice rather than any single artwork.

Particular consideration is given to conceptual clarity, originality of approach, consistency of vision, and the potential for meaningful engagement through the Artist of the Month format.

The selection process is designed to be reflective rather than competitive.

We welcome artists working across all visual disciplines and at all stages of their careers.

Our aim is to identify practices that demonstrate a distinctive voice, a thoughtful engagement with contemporary concerns, and the capacity to contribute to ongoing conversations within the wider art community.

Application Details

• Submission Fee: £15 (non-refundable)
• No exhibition fee
• Deadline: 30 June 2026
• Notification: Successful applicants will be contacted via email within one month of submission

Recently Featured Artists

July 2025 – 25th Edition: Blandine Martin
https://spira9.art/artist-of-the-month/blandine-martin

September 2025 – 25th Edition: Helen Birnbaum
https://spira9.art/artist-of-the-month/helen-birnbaum

November 2025 – 25th Edition: Mandy Lane
https://spira9.art/artist-of-the-month/mandy-lane

The Artist of the Month programme is open to artists working across all visual art disciplines. We welcome submissions from emerging and established practitioners worldwide.

Let your work be seen. Share your vision with a global audience.